Automatic article crushing apparatus



June 30, 1970 s, E, KEAGLE 3,517,607

' y AUTOMATIC ARTICLE CRUSHING APPARATUS Fi ed Sept. 18, 1967 I 4Sneaks- Sheet .L

n Z525 I e5 56 j 491 67 24 5.a /\\\\5\ June 30, 1970 s. E. KEAGLE3,517,507

AUTOMATIC ARTICLE CRUSHING APPARATUS Filed sept. 18, 1967 4 sheets-sheet2 EQQIE 87 I 79 93 94 0 M9 9,6 108.26 [IYJQZ l 27//9/af IHHUJSZED-Q-LJPQ- INVENTOR. Jima/'LEY E. man' 3%4 am @uw Mx www,

June 30, 1970 AUTOMATIC ARTICLE CRUSHING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 18, 1967s. E. KEAGLE 3,51-7,607

4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Iii Q2 f fi-10 June 30, 1970 s. E. KEAGLE 3,517,607

AUTOMATIC ARTICLE CRUSHING APPARATUS Filed sept. 18, 1967l 4sheets-sheet 4 JTANLEYE. KEAGLE Mlfaluuwgy United States Patent O "ree3,517,607 AUTOMATIC ARTICLE CRUSHING APPARATUS Staldey E. Keagle,Sarasota, Fla., assignor to Earll Manufacturing Company, Minneapolis,Minn., a corporation of Minnesota Filed Sept. 18, 1967, Ser. No. 668,431Int. Cl. B30!) 15/14 U.S. Cl. 100-49 14 Claims ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE A fully automatic bottle and can crusher in which articlesare fed, one at a time, into the crusher by a feeder. The feeder controlis responsive to the presence of an article in the feeder, and thecrusher control is responsive to the presence of an article in thecrusher. The crusher is operated by an electrically actuated hydraulicvalve which discontinues operation of the crusher at a predeterminedhydraulic pressure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to article crushingapparatus and control means therefor; and, more particularly, toautomatie can and 4bottle Crushers.

Bottle Crushers are vvell known and have previously been operated byinsertion of the article to be crushed accompanied by manual starting ofthe crushing mechanism. Such devices are unsatisfactory because theyrequireA constant operator attention and are inefficient when the volumeof material to be crushed is large. Other prior art devices have addedmeans for automatically actuating the crusher when an article to becrushed is present. This improvement leaves the crusher in a standbyposition until an article is inserted into the machine, whereupon thecrusher operates and disposes of the article. These machines havesuffered the drawback that if several articles of varying sizes areinserted, they may cause feeding problems in the crusher. Furtherattempts to automate crushers have resulted in development of articlefeeders which supply one article at a time to the crusher. Addition ofthe single can feed did not entirely solve the problem because theresulting apparatus `was still not fully automatic.

SUMMAIRY OF THE INVENTION This invention provides a fully automaticarticle crusher having an article feeder which operates only when anarticle to be crushed is present in the feeder. The feeder then feedsthe articles, one at a time, into the crusher which is controlled so asto operate only when an article is present in the crusher. The entirecrushing apparatus is in a standby condition until an article to -becrushed is dropped into the feed line. So long as the feed line containsarticles, the device operates continuously but it automatically returnsto the standby position as soon as the feed line is emptied.

The crusher itself is controlled by an electrically actuated hydraulicspool valve. An article sliding into the crusher actuates the electricalmechanism which moves the valve to a pressure position so that thecrushing means crushes the article until a predetermined hydraulicpressure level is reached. The valve is so designed that upon reachingthe predetermined pressure level, the spool is actuated to a drainpositionand the crusher returns to its standby state ready to beactuated by the next article.

Further features and advantages of the invention will be readilyapparent from consideration of the following detailed description of thedrawings and the preferred embodiment.

3,517,607 Patented June 30, 1970 FIG. 1 is a side view, partially cutaway, of the crushing apparatus of the invention;

FIG. 1A is a side View of a portion of FIG. 1 during operation of thecrusher.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side vie'w of one form of hydraulic controlvalve for use in the apparatus, the valve being in a pressure position;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the valve of FIG. 2 in a drainposition;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of the valve of FIG. 2 in astandby position;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the valve of FIGS. 2-4;

FIGS. 6-10 are cross-sectional views of the valve of FIG. 3 taken alongthe respectively numbered lines;

FIG. l1 is a cross-sectional view of a modified valve for use in theapparatus, the valve being in a pressure position;

F-IG. l2 is a cross-sectional side view of the valve of FIG. 11 in adrain position.

FIG. 13 is a bottom view of the valve of FIG. l1; and

FIGS. 14-16 are cross-sectional views of the valve body of FIGS. 1l and12 taken along the respectively numbered lines with the spool and otherinternal parts removed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Crusher structure The crushingapparatus is shown in FIG. l. The article crushing means is here shownas a hydraulic crusher, generally designated 15, containing a bottle 16to be crushed. Feeding means, generally designated 17, is positionedadjacent crusher 15, and is adapted to feed articles to be crushed intocrusher -15 one at a time. A can 18 is disposed in a flexible chute 19leading to feeding means -17 so that the lower edge of can 1f8 abuts aportion of feeding means 17. Chute '19 extends upwardly to a mouth, notshown, which may -be mounted in the back portion of a bar or other placefrom which cans and bottles must be sent for disposal. Cans and bottlesto be disposed of are dropped into the mouth of chute 19 and slidedownward to the position of can 18. The crushing apparatus also includesa refuse container 20 which collects the broken and crushed pieces ofbottles and cans. Container 20 is removable from the crushing apparatusfor disposal of the crushed material.

Feeding means 17 includes an elevator platform 21 containing anelongated aperture 22 therethrough and downwardly extending endportions, one of which includes a Vertical slot 56. Platform 21 isconnected to a support post 23 which cooperates with a solenoid elevatoroperator 24. Support 23 includes a pair of hemispherical depressions 25and 26 which cooperate with an adjusting screw 27, a bias spring 28 anda ball 29 to form a detent mechanism for retaining platform 21 in eithera raised or lowered position.

The vcontrol means for feeding means 17 includes switching means, hereshown as a micro-switch 30 of standard construction, having a switchoperator arm 31 extending upwardly and terminating in a roller 32positioned so that it extends through aperture 22 when platform 21 is ina lower position 33, which is, shown in dotted lines. Switch 30 isconnected to a source of power not shown, and further connected incontrolling relationship to solenoid 24. Depression of switch arm 31closes a circuit which energizes solenoid 24 thereby raising platform 21from lower position 33 to the upper position shown in FIG. l (solidlines).

Crusher 15 includes a lower stationary platen 39 which is rigidlyconnected to an upper stationary platen 40. Disposed between platens 39and 40 is a movable platen 41. A hydraulic cylinder 42 is rigidlymounted to lower platen 39 and contains a hydraulic ram 43 which has itsupper end attached to the underside of movable platen 41.. Movableplaten 41 is driven upward toward upper stationary platen 40 byhydraulic cylinder 43 during the crushing operation. Platen 41 isreturned to its original posltion after the crushing operation by resetmeans, here shown as a return spring 44. A plurality of guide bolts 45connect upper platen 40 to lower platen 39 in a predetermined, xed,spaced relation. Movable platen 41 contains a plurality of guide holesthrough which guide bolts 4S are disposed to form guide means thereforas it moves up and down in the crushing operation. A stop member 46 isprovided so that movable platen 41 returns to the same lower positionafter each crushing operation.

The control means for crusher includes a switch 47, which mayconveniently be a conventional microswitch, having an actuating arm 48extending downwardly thereform so that the lower end of arm 48 isdisposed in the space between upper platen 40 and movable platen 41 whenmovable platen 41 is in the lower position. Electrically conductiveleads 49 extend from switch 47 to a source of power, not shown, and to asolenoid 66 which controls a hydraulic valve, generally designated 65,so that actuation of switch 47 controls operation of solenoid 66.

Also included in the crushing apparatus is means for resetting feedingmeans 17 to position 33 while movable platen 41 is being reset to itslower position. This reset mechanism for feeding means 17 includes alatch bracket 50 which extends downwardly from movable platen 41.Rotatably attached to latch bracket 50 is a latch member 51. Attached toone end of latch member 51 is a latch bias spring 52 whose other end isattached to the lower side of movable platen 41. When movable platen 41is in the position shown in FIG. l, latch member 51 bears against alatch stop 53 which extends upwardly from stationary platen 39. A latchcatch bracket 54 is rigidly attached to the depending endV of elevatorplatform 21 adjacent crusher 15. Rotatably disposed in catch bracket 54is a latch catch `55; and immediately above latch catch 55 is the groove56 in the end of elevator platform 21.

The hydraulic system of the crushing apparatus includes a hydraulic pump60 which is mounted on top of a hydraulic iluid reservoir 61. Pump 60 isdriven electrically from a source of power, not shown, and is turned onand olf from a master switch, also not shown, which also controls thepower to switches 30 and 47 and to solenoids 24 and 66. Reservoir 61contains a hydraulic fluid filter 62 which is connected to pump 60 by apump intake line 63. From pump 60, a pressure supply line 64 extendsupwardly to the hydraulic control valve 65, which is actuated bysolenoid 66. A pair of leads 67 from solenoid 66 are connected to thesource of power and to one of leads 49 of switch 47 by conductors, notshown. From valve 65, a ram supply and return line 68 extends to thebottom of cylinder 42. A pair of drain lines 69 and 71 extend downwardlyfrom valve 65, joining into one line which empties into reservoir 61.The entire apparatus including crusher 15, feeding means 17, and thehydraulic system is mounted in a support structure 70, which supportsthe various portions and encloses the apparatus to prevent broken piecesof glass or other material from escaping from the crushing area.

OPERATION OF CRUSHING APPARATUS Assume that the entire apparatus isempty of materials to be crushed. Elevator platform 21 will be in dottedposition 33 and movable platen 41 will be in the lower position, asshown in FIG l. The iirst piece to be crushed is fed into the mouth oftube |19 and slides downward in tube 19 and across the top of elevatorplatform 21 (which is flush with the lower surface of tube 18) until itstrikes the edge of movable platen 41 which is closest to elevatorplatform 21. The article is stopped by this leading edge of movableplaten 41 and any articles behind it will be stopped by the upper end ofthe article to be crushed and the depending end of platform 21 as itrises. As the article slides over the upper surface of elevator platform21, it strikes roller 32 depressing arm 31 and actuating switch 30.Actuation of switch 30 causes power to be supplied to solenoid 24 whichthen moves elevator platform 21 to the upper position as shown inFIG. 1. In the detenting mechanism, ball 29 is forced into depression 25thereby retaining platform 21 in the upper position even though pressurehas been removed from roller 32 so that it returns to its normalposition opening switch 30 and removing power from solenoid 24.

While elevator platform 21 is in its upper position the depending edgeof platform 21 adjacent tube 19 forms an abutment member which preventsfurther articles, such as can 18, from entering the feeding means whilethe previous article is being crushed.

When elevator platform 21 reaches its upper position, its upper surfaceis iiush with the upper surface of movable platen 41 and the article tobe crushed, such as bottle 16, lslides downward onto platen 41. As thearticle reaches the opposite end of Crusher l15, it engages arm 48moving it and actuating switch 47. Switch 47, in turn, actuates solenoid66 which actuates hydraulic valve 65 to a position wherein hydraulicfluid under pressure can be supplied through ram supply line 68 tohydraulic cylinder 42.

Hydraulic fluid is drawn from reservoir 61 through filter 62 and pumpsupply line 63 to hydraulic pump 60. Hydraulic fluid under pressure issupplied from pump 60 through pressure line 64 to valve 65 and throughvalve 65 to ram supply line 68. The hydraulic iluid causes ram 43 to beforced upward out of cylinder 42 thereby raising movable platen 41upwardly along guide bolts 45 toward upper stationary platen 40. Thisupward motion of platen 41,crushes the articles until a predeterminedhydraulic pressure is reached in cylinder 42 and valve 65. At that time,valve 65 is actulated to a position which removes supply pressure fromthe hydraulic fluid in cylinder 42 and provides a return channel throughline 68 and valve 65 to drain line 69. Once the hydraulic pressure isremoved from ram 43, return spring 44 draws movable platen 41 back downto the lower position abutting stop 46, thereby forcing the hydraulicfluid back through line 68, valve 65 and drain line 69 to reservoir 61.

The latching mechanisms provides a means for resetting elevator platform21 to its lower position upon the return of movable platen 41 to itslower position. While movable platen 41 is in its lower position, latchmember 51 is in a position with its leading edge retracted sufficientlyto permit latch catch 55 to move upwardly past member 51 withoutengaging it. Latch catch 55 travels upwardly with elevator platform 21as it rises to the solid position.

Catch member 55 is attached to bracket 54 in such a manner that it isrotatable from the position shown in FIG. l to a position in which thepointed edge of catch member 55 is vertically upward, but catch 55 iseither biased or constructed so that as soon as the pressure rotating itupwardly is removed, catch 55 drops back to the position shown in FIG. 1where it stops. Thus, catch member 55 is rotatable through an angle ofapproximately 90 and, in the absence of pressure from below, is in theposition shown in FIG. l.

As platen 41 moves upwardly, latch member 51 lifts oif of stop member53. Bias spring 52 then contracts rotating latch member 51 in acounterclockwise direction so that its upper leading edge extendsoutwardly toward latch catch 55. With continued upward movement, latchmember 51 engages catch member 55 from the lower side and rotates member55 upwardly until latch member 51 slides past catch member 55. Catchmember 55 drops back to its original position, and latch member 51continues to move upwardly with platen 41 passing through groove 56 inthe depending end of elevator platform 21 as is shown in FIG. 1A.

When movable platen 41 return to its lower position, the outwardlyextending end of latch member 51 temporrarily engages the upper surfaceof catch member 55. The spring tension on bias spring 52 is great enoughto maintain pressure on catch 55 and elevator platform 21 until ball 29disengages from depression 25, whereupon elevator platform 21 drops backto its lower position 33 so that it is reset to feed in the next articleto be crushed. As movable platen 41 approaches the bottom of its travel,latch member 51 again engages stop member 53 and is rotated in aclockwise direction to the position with the leading edge out of theline of travel of catch member 55.

VALVE STRUCTURE-FIGS. 2-10 Hydraulic valve 65, which controls theoperation of Crusher 15, also includes a novel structure which is shownin FIGS. 2 through 10. A valve body 74 contains a pressure inlet port75, a ram supply and return port 76, a ram drain port 77 and a pressuredrain port 78, which are best shown in FIG. 5. The remainder of thevalve structure can best been be referring to FIGS. 2-4 and 6-10. Valvebody 74 also includes a first cavity 79 in which a spool 80 is disposed.Body 74 also contains a second cavity 81 and a passageway 82 whichconnects ports '75 and 76. A rst interior port 83 connects one end ofpassageway 82 adjacent ram supply and return port 76 to spool cavity 79.A second interior port 84 connects a portion of passageway 82 adjacentpressure port 75 to spool cavity 7 9.

A rst restricted passage 85 connects the opposite end of passage 82 to avalve chamber 86 within valve body 74, and a second restricted passage87 connects valve chamber 86 with second cavity 81. The left end ofpassageway 82, restricted passage 85, valve chamber 86 and secondrestricted passage 87 provide a rst uid conducting path between pressureinlet port 75 and second cavity 81. A restricted drain passageway 88connects the right end of second cavity 81 with pressure drain port 78.Restricted passageway 88 provides a second fluid conducting path invalve body 74. Further interior drain ports 89 and 90 connect portionsof spool cavity 79 to a passage 91 and ram drain port 77 and to apassage 92 and supply drain port 78, respectively. Valve body 74contains a vent hole 93 connecting one end of second cavity 81 with theoutside atmosphere for equalizing pressure. Finally, a passageway 102connects the adjacent ends of second cavity 81 and spool cavity 79.

A hydraulic spool actuating means is provided in second cavity 81 by apiston 94 which is connected to an actuating rod 95. 'Ihe ends ofactuating rod 95 remote from piston 94 extends through passageway 102.Disposed about piston 94 is an O-ring seal 96 to prevent hydraulic uidfrom flowing into the portion of cavity 81 communieating with vent hole93. A bias mechanism, here shown as bias spring 97, is disposed between94 and the Wall of cavity 81 adjacent cavity 79. Spring 97 yieldablybiases piston 94 toward the opposite end of cavity 81.

Valve 65 also includes a hydraulic iluid pressure responsive mechanismwhich includes a valve closure member 98 disposed in valve chamber 86.Closure member 98 cooperates with a valve seat 99 formed in valve body74 adjacent restricted passage 85. An adjustable bias means, here shownas a bias spring 100 and an adjusting screw 101 are provided to vary thepressure with which closure member 98 is forced against seat 99.

Spool 80 has a first land 105, a second land 106 and a third land 107separated from one another by shank portions 108 and 109, respectively.Spool 80 further includes an exterior shank portion 110 and connectingmeans 111 which operatively connect shank portion 110 and spool 80 6 tosolenoid 66. Disposed about lands 105, 106 and 107 are O-rings 96 whichprevent hydraulic fluid from leaking between ports or out of valve 65.

The hydraulic line connections to valve `65 are as follows: Pressureport 75 is connected to the pressure supply line 64, ram supply andreturn port 76 is connected to ram supply and return line 68, ram drainport 77 is connected to drain line 69 and pressure drain port 78 isconnected to drain line 71.

VALVE OPERATION--FIGS 2-10 When an article to be crushed enters Crusher15 and actuates switch 47, solenoid 66 moves spool 80 to the pressureposition shown in FIG. 2. In this position, fluid under pressureentering through port 75 flows in passageway 82 to port 76, to interiorports 83 and 84, and to restricted passage 85. The pressure generated onspool at ports 83 and 84 freezes spool 80 in that position even thoughenergy is removed from solenoid 66. Hydraulic fluid owing out of port 76actuates hydraulic ram 43. At the same time, hydraulic pressure buildsup in restricted passage on closure member 98 which is preset to open ata specic hydraulic pressure, e.g. 500 p.s.i. Until that hydraulicpressure is reached, valve member 98 is rmly seated on seat 99 and noiiuid ilows through valve chamber 86.

As soon as the hydraulic pressure on closure member 98 reaches thepredetermined value, closure member 98 cracks away from seat 99 andhydraulic uid flows through chamber 86 and restricted passage 87 to theend of second cavity 81 remote from cavity 79. The pressure of fluid incavity 81 forces piston 94 toward cavity 79 against the 'bias of spring97. As piston 94 moves toward cavity 79, air is expelled from theportion of cavity 81 adjacent cavity 79 through vent hole 93. Actuatingrod 95 moves through passage 102 and bears against the adjacent end ofspool 80.

Motion of piston 94 toward cavity 79 causes spool 80 to be moved to thedrain position shown in FIG. 3. Restricted passages 8-7 and -88 aredesigned so that fluid pressure builds up in cavity 81 as long asclosure member 98 is olf of seat 99. As soon as spool 80 moves to theposition shown in FIG. 3, hydraulic supply pressure is removed fromhydraulic ram 43 because interior port 84 communicates with interiorport through the portion of cavity 79 about shank portion 108 therebyallowing fluid under supply pressure to flow to drain port 78 Withoutsubstantial resistance. At the same time,v interior port 83 communicateswith interior port 89 through the portion of cavity 79 about shankportion 109 thereby allowing Ifluid from cylinder 42 to flow to drainport 77 without substantial resistance. These interior communicationsprovide two separate drain circuits for hydraulic fluid.

When valve `65 is in the drain position, pressure is removed from ram43, return spring 44 and ram 43 exert sufficient pressure on the fluidin cylinder 42 to force it back through pipe 68 and port 76 into valve65. The hydraulic fluid flowing from port 76l continues upward throughport 83, cavity 79, port 89, passage 91, drain port 77 and drain line 69to reservoir 61. Fluid from pump `60 enters port 75 and -flows throughport 84, cavity 79, port 90, passageway 92, port 78 and drain line 71 toreservoir 61. As soon as valve 65 is in the drain position, fluid.pressure valve member 98 drops and member 98 immediately reseats itselfon seat 99. Fluid pressure in cavity 81 also drops, and bias spring 97forces piston 94 away from cavity 79 expelling the fluid from cavity 81through restricted passage 88 and drain port 78.

Fluid is expelled from cavity 8-1 until piston 94 reaches the end of itstravel as shown in FIG. 4 leaving valve 65 in the standby position. Inthat position, valve 65 is ready to receive another actuating signalfrom solenoid y66 which will move spool 80 to the pressure positionshown in FIG. 2 again.

It can be seen that modifications can be made to the apparatus Withoutdeparting from the contemplated scope of the invention. For example,normally open and normally closed switches and valves can be replaced bytheir reverse counterparts with suitable circuitry and bias reversals.Also, a suitable valving arrangement can be substituted for the simplerestricted passage 88 to control expulsion of fluid from cavity 81 whenfluid pressure is removed therefrom. Other modifications will beapparent to those skilled in the art.

VALVE STRUCTURE AND OPERATION- FIGS. ll-l6 A modified hydraulic valve isshown in FIGS. ll through 16. This valve can be substituted for thatshown in FIGS. 2 through 10' in the apparatus of the invention and isthe presently preferred structure. The valve of FIGS. l1 through 16 isconstructed and operates in a manner similar to that of the valve ofFIGS. 2 through 10 with certain exceptions which are pointed outhereafter. Parts of the valve of FIGS. l1 through 161 which correspondto those of the valve of FIGS. 2 through 10` are numbered withcorresponding numbers 100 greater than the numbers on the valve of FIGS.2 through 10.

An L-shaped passage 220 connects one end of valve chamber 186 to secondcavity 181 and to a metered orifice 221 which communicates withrestricted drain passageway '188. L-shaped passageway 220k and meteredorifice 221 provide the fluid path between chamber 186, cavity 181, andpassageway 188.

The means for actuating spool 180 to its second position is adouble-acting piston arrangement which provides snap actuation. Piston194, which responds to the fluid pressure transmitted into second cavity181, acts on a second piston l222 through a bias spring 223. Secondpiston 222 is attached to actuating rod 195 and is biased to the right,as shown in FIG. 11, by bias spring 197. Second piston 222 is held inthe position shown in FIG. l1 by a detent mechanism, here shown as ahemispherical depression 224 in the wall of piston 222 into which a ball225 is forced by a bias spring 226. The detent mechanism retains piston222 in the position shown in FIG. 11 until piston 194 is driven to theleft by fiuid pressure to release the detent mechanism either bypressure of spring 223 or by actual contact btween pistons 222 and 194.The pressure of spring 223` then forces piston 222 to the left rapidlyand forcefully until it reaches the position shown in FIG. 12. kThisrapid forceful action causes positive snap actuation of spool 180 to thedrain position shown in FIG. l2. The snap action of the valve of FIGS.1l through 16 eliminates difficulties which are sometimes encounteredbecause of the pressure seal holding spool 180 in its first position. Afurther structural modification necessitated by the double-acting pistonis an additional vent hole 193m communicating with the portion of secondcavity 181 to the left of second piston 222.

A second drain passageway is provided to assist in draining fluid fromhydraulic ram 43- when the valve is in the drain position. A secondinterior drain port 190:1 is connected to a second ram drain port 17711by an interior passage 19161. Ram drain port 177a is connected to fluidreservoir 61 by a second drain line, not shown. Addition of the seconddrain port requires an additional shank portion 2-29 and land surfaces227 and 228 on spool 180. In all respects, other than those describedabove, the valve of FIGS. 11 through 16 is constructed and operates inthe same manner as the valve of FIGS. 2 through l0.

What is claimed is:

1. A fully automatic article crushing apparatus comprising:

article crushing means;

article feeding means operable to feed articles, one at a time, to thecrushing means;

8 first control means, responsive to the presence of an article to becrushed in the feeding means, connected in controlling relation to thefeeding means for causing the feeding means to feed the article into thecrushing means; and second control means having actuator means sensingthe presence of the article to be crushed in the crushing means, saidsecond control means connected in controlling relation to the crushingmeans for causing the crushing means to crush the article when theactuator means senses the presence of the article in the crushing means.2. An article crushing apparatus according to claim 1 which furtherincludes:

reset means operatively connected to the crushing means for resettingthe crushing means to crush another article immediately after crushing aprevious article; and further reset means operatively connected betweenthe crushing means and the feeding means for resetting the feeding meansto feed another article into the crushing means. 3. An article crushingapparatus according to claim 2 wherein:

the feeding means is electrically actuated, the crushing means ishydraulically actuated, the reset means is mechanical, and the furtherreset means is mechanical. 4. An article crushing apparatus according toclaim 2 wherein I the feeding means includes an elevator platformmovable between first and second positions and operatively connected toa first solenoid actuator, the platform having an opening therethrough;and the first control means includes a first pressure responsive switchpositioned adjacent the platform and extending upwardly through theplatform opening when the platform is in the first position, electricalcircuit means connecting the first switch for moving the platform fromthe first to the second position upon actuation of the first switch incontrolling relation to the first solenoid and adapted to connect thefirst switch and the first solenoid to a source of power, and detentmeans cooperable with the actuator to maintain the platform in thesecond position until the further reset means returns the platform tothe first position. 5. A11 article crushing apparatus according to claim3 wherein the further reset means includes a latch bracket rigidlyattached to the crushing means, a latch rotatably attached to the latchbracket, bias means yieldably biasing the latch in a first position, astop member positioned adjacent the crushing means and cooperable withthe latch to cause the latch to be rotated to a second position againstthe force of the bias means when the reset means resets the crushingmeans, a latch catch bracket rigidly attached to the elevator platform,and a rotatable latch catch biased in a first position and temporarilyrotatable to a second position by contact with the latch during crushingof an article bythe crushing means, the latch and latch catch beingpositioned so that no contact is made between them during movement ofthe elevator platform from the first position to the second position, sothat the latch temporarily engages the latch catch temporarily moving itto the second position to allow the latch to pass by the latch catchduring operation of the crushing means, and so that the latch engagesthe latch catch during resetting of the crushing means therebydisengaging the detent means and returning the elevator platform to itsfirst position. 6. An article crushing apparatus according to claim 2wherein the crushing means includes a stationary platen, a

movable platen movable toward the stationary platen by application ofhydraulic power, and a hydraulic ram operatively connected to themovable platen;

the second control means includes a second pressure responsive switchpositioned adjacent one of the platens, a hydraulic fluid supply underpressure, a fluid reservoir, a hydraulic valve connected to thehydraulic supply, the fluid reservoir and the hydraulic ram to controlthe application of the hydraulic fluid under pressure to the hydraulicram, a second solenoid connected to control the hydraulic valve, andelectrical circuit means connecting the second switch in controllingrelation to the second solenoid and adapted to connect the second switchand the second solenoid to a source of power; and

the reset means includes a stationary backup plate positioned adjacentthe hydraulic ram on the side of the movable platen opposite thatnearest the stationary platen and spring means connecting the backupplate to the movable platen.

7. The article crushing 4apparatus according to claim 1 wherein: thefeeding means includes an elevator platform movable between a firstposition to receive an article and a second position to discharge anarticle into the crushing means and means to move the elevator platformbetween the first position `and the second position.

8. The article crushing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein: thecrushing means includes a first stationary platen, a second platenmovable relative to the stationary platen, and a hydraulic ramoperatively connected to the second platen, said second control meansincluding a pressure responsive switch positioned adjacent one of theplatens, a hydraulic valve for connecting a hydraulic fluid underpressure to the hydraulic ram to control the application of hydraulicuid to the ram, a solenoid connected to the hydraulic valve, anelectrical circuit means connecting the switch in controlling relationwith the solenoid and adapted to connect the switch and the solenoid toa source of power whereby on actuation of the switch in response to anarticle in the crushing means hydraulic uid under pressure is suppliedto the hydraulic ram to move the first and second platens relative toeach other to crush the article.

9. An article crushing apparatus comprising:

article crushing means including a stationary platten,

a movable platen movable toward the stationary platen by application ofhydraulic power, a hydraulic ram operatively connected to the movableplaten, an article feeding means adapted to feed articles, one at atime, to the crushing means, first control means, responsive to thepresence of an article to be crushed in the feeding means, connected incontrolling relation to the feeding means for causing the feeding meansto feed the article into the crushing means, second control means,responsive to the presence of the article to be crushed in the crushingmeans, connected in controlling relation to the crushing means forcausing the crushing means to crush the article, said second controlmeans including a second pressure responsive switch positioned adjacentone of the platens, a hydraulic fluid supply under pressure, a fluidreservoir, a hydraulic valve connected to the hydraulic supply, the uidreservoir and the hydraulic ram to control the application of thehydraulic fluid under pressure to the hydraulic ram, a second solenoidconnected to control the hydraulic valve, and electrical circuit meansconnecting the second switch in controlled relation to the secondsolenoid and adapted to connect the second switch and the secondsolenoid to a source of power; said hydraulic valve including a valvebody having a plurality of ports including an inlet port, a load portand at least one drain port communicating with a first interior cavity,the -body further having a second cavity a first fluid conducting pathconnecting the inlet port and the load port, the load port and inlet 10port communicating with the at least one drain port only through thefirst cavity, the inlet fport being connected to the hydraulic liuidsupply, the load port being connected to the hydraulic ram, and the atleast one drain port being connected to the fluid reservoir;

a spool disposed in the first cavity and movable between first andsecond positions therein, said spool being constructed to blockcommunication between the inlet and load ports and the at least onedrain port in the first position and to allow communication therebetweenin the second position;`

pressure responsive valving means disposed in the first path between theinlet port and the second cavity and biased in a first position until apredetermined uid pressure within the first path is exceeded, thevalving means being movable to a second position by the liuid pressurewhen the predetermined pressure is exceeded thereby causing a change influid pressure in the second cavity;

connecting means operatively connecting the spool to the second solenoidso that actuation of the second solenoid moves the spool to its firstposition wherein fluid under pressure can flow through the valve fromthe inlet port to only the load port whereupon fluid pressure increasesat the pressure responsive valving means; and

hydraulically actuated means for moving the spool to its second positionwherein uid under pressure can flow from the inlet port and the loadport to the at least one drain port without significant fluid pressureincreases in said first path, the hydraulically actuated means beingdisposed in the second cavity, maintained in a first position while thepressure responsive valving means is in its first position, and movableto a second position in response to a fluid pressure change in thesecond cavity resulting from movement of the pressure responsive valvingmeans to its second position, the hydraulically actuated means beingpositioned so that it moves the spool to its second position uponmovement of the hydraulically actuated means to its second position;

reset means operatively connected to the crushing means for resettingthe crushing means to crush another article immediately after crushing aprevious article, said reset means including a stationary backup platepositioned adjacent the hydraulic ram on the side of the movable platenopposite that nearest the stationary platen and spring means connectingthe backup plate to the movable platen; and further reset meansoperatively connected between the crushing means and the feeding meansfor resetting the feeding means to feed another article into the vcrushing means.

10. An article crushing apparatus according to claim 9 wherein: thefeeding means includes an elevator platform movable between a firstposition and a second position, said platform being operativelyconnected to a first solenoid actuator, saidlfirst control means havinga first pressure responsive switch positioned adjacent the platform,said switch having an actuator located above the platform when theplatform is in the first position, electrical circuit means connectingthe first switch for mov ing the platform from the first position to thesecond position upon actuation of the first switch in controllingrelation to the first solenoid, said circuit means adapted to connectthe first switch and the first solenoid to a source of electric power,and means cooperable with the platform to maintain the platform in thesecond position until the further reset mean returns the platform to thefirst position.

11. A fully automatic article crushing apparatus comprising:

article crushing means;

article feeding means adapted to feed articles, one at 13. The articlecrushing apparatus according to claim a time, to the crushing means; 11wherein first control means, responsive to the presence of an theplurality of ports further includes a load port, a

article to be crushed in the feeding means, confirst drain port, and asecond drain port; nected in controlling relation to the feeding meansthe first path has a predetermined minimum diameter for causing thefeeding means to feed the article into the crushing means; and

second control means, responsive to the presence of the article to becrushed in the crushing means, connected in controlling relation to thecrushing means and communicates with a first portion of the secondcavity, adjacent one end thereof;

the pressure responsive valving means including a valve seat formed by aportion of the wall of the first path, a valve closure member which, inthe first position,

for causing the crushing means to crush the article, cooperates with theseat to form a fluid tight seal, the second control means including avalve, said and which, in the second position has moved away valvecomprising a valve body having a plurality of from the seat therebyallowing fluid pressure in exports including an inlet port communicatingwith a cess of the predetermined pressure to be transmitted firstinterior cavity, the body further having a secto the second cavity, andadjustable biasing means ond cavity and a first fluid conducting pathconnect- Cooperable with the closure member to yieldably bias ing theinlet port and the second cavity; the closure member in the firstposition; a spool disposed in the first cavity and movable bethe valvebody further includes a passageway directly tween first and secondpositions therein; connecting one end of the first cavity to theopposite pressure responsive valving means disposed in the first end ofthe second cavity and a second fluid conductpath between the inlet portand the Second cavity ing path connecting the first portion of thesecond and biased in a first position until a predetermined ceVity tothe Second drain Port, the Second path fluid pressure 'within the pathis exceeded, the valvhaving a maximum diameter less than the minimum ingmeans being movable to a second position by diameter of the first path;arid fluid pressure when the predetermined pressure the further spoolactuating means including piston is exceeded thereby causing a change influid presmeans slidably positioned in the second cavity influid Sure inthe second cavity; tight engagement with the walls thereof between thespool actuating means for moving the spool to its first ir St Portionand the opposite end, including e mernposition wherein fluid underpressure can flow ber operebiy connected to the Piston Ineens, Siidarbiythrough the valve from the inlet port in such a mandiSPoSed in thepassageway, and adapted to Cooperate ner that fluid pressure increasesat the pressure re- With the Spool to InoVe it to itS Second pOSitiOnWhen sponsive valving means; fluid pressure in excess of thepredetermined presfnrther Spool actuating means for moving the Spoolsure is transmitted to the first portion of the second to its secondposition wherein fluid under pressure cuVity thereby mOVing the PistonIneanS toward the can flow through the valve without significant fluidoPPoSite end; and Which further COInPrSeSf pressure increases in thefirst path, the further spool yieidabie bias Ineens disposed in theSecond cavity actuating means being disposed in the second cavity,between the Piston means and the opposite end maintained in a firstposition while the pressure refor InoVing the Piston Ineens away fromthe sponsive valving means is in its first position, and opposite endupon return ofthe closure member movable to a second position inresponse to a fluid to the first position.

14. The article crushing apparatus according to claim pressure change inthe second cavity resulting from 13 wherein movement of the pressureresponsive valving means to its second position, the further actuatingmeans the SP001 lnciudes an extension Projecting through and beingpositioned so that it moves the spool to its 0utWerdly from the ValVebody; and

second position upon movement of the further actuthe spool actuatingmeans includes a solenoid mounted coaxially with the extension andcooperable there with to move the spool to its first position uponapplication of electrical energy to the solenoid, the solenoid beingadapted for connection to a source of electrical energy.

References Cited adjacent the crushing means for actuating the spoolUNITED STATES PATENTS in response to the presence of an article to be2,558,255 6/1951 Johnson et aL 241 99 crushed. 2,619,150 11/1952 smith241-99 12. The article crushing apparatus according to claim 2,800,1597/1957 Walsh et a1 241 99 11 wherein 2,907,530 10/ 1959 Pyles 241-34 theplurality of ports includes at least one drain port; 2,965,316 12/1960Henderson et a1 241- 34 and which further comprises;

fluid pressure relief means connecting the second cavity to the drainport for relieving fluid pressure in the second cavity when the pressureresponsive valving means is in the first position.

GERALD A. DOST, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R.

